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Overgrown and dirty road signs need to be cleared to avoid motorists being sent on a “magical mystery tour”, a councillor has demanded.

Plaid Cymru councillor Colin Mann has called for action from Caerphilly County Borough Council after he was “surprised to see so many unreadable road signs” around the borough.

Cllr Mann said he has sent photographs, which show signs in Hengoed covered in foliage, to council cabinet member Chris Morgan.

Cllr Mann, who represents the Llanbradach ward, said: “Obviously for drivers who know the area this may not be such an issue but for visitors it really could result in a magical mystery tour.

“The cabinet has told us that they are concentrating on frontline services but what is more frontline than the proper maintenance of road signs?”

Cllr Mann continued: “If the signs I’ve taken photographs of, all within a couple of miles of where I live in Llanbradach, are typical of the rest of  the borough it could mean that the number of unreadable signs could run into the hundreds.

“There is also a road safety issue here. If drivers are slowing down or even stopping to read a sign then it might cause an accident. If motorists are losing their way their journeys will take longer causing wasted fuel and very frustrated drivers.”

He added: “This should be a simple housekeeping task and I’d like to see vegetation cleared and signs cleaned before the dark winter nights are upon us.”

Caerphilly County Borough Council has been contacted for comment.